LUSAIL, Qatar – Fabio Quartararo overcame a poor opening lap to take a commanding victory in Sunday’s MotoGP Doha Grand Prix at the Losail Int’l Circuit.
Making his second start for the Monster Energy Yamaha team, Quartararo found himself in ninth at the end of the first lap. Meanwhile, at the front of the field, rookie sensation Jorge Martin rocketed into the lead.
Quartararo worked his way up to fourth on lap 15 before taking third from Francesco Bagnaia on the next circuit. Bagnaia stayed with Quartararo and was able to take the spot back down one of the straights only to run wide in the corner, handing the spot back to Quartararo.
On lap 18 Quartararo ran down and passed Johann Zarco for second before dispatching Martin in turn 15 one lap later. Martin tried to take the spot back and was able to do so briefly, but Quartararo made the final pass in turn four.
Quartararo slowly inched away, eventually claiming a 1.4-second victory.
“I have no words. This race win is different from the previous three MotoGP races I‘ve won so far,” said Quartararo. “After the last race I was a bit disappointed in myself. During this race it was totally different. I was thinking so well, I played a lot with the map and the tires. Nine or 10 laps to the end I thought, ’Right now is the moment to push and show our potential.'”
Zarco overtook Martin on the final lap to finish second, with Martin settling for third after leading most of the race. Alex Rins finished fourth, with Maverick Vinales completing the top-five.